Vacuuming Apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a vacuuming apparatus having a vacuum cleaner, a suction hose which is connected to the housing of the vacuum cleaner, and a filter bag, wherein the cylinder-type vacuum cleaner has a motor/fan unit which is designed in such a way that the average electrical input power of said motor/fan unit lies between 1000 W and 200 W and a negative pressure in the measurement chamber at aperture 6 of greater than 12.5 kPa, and a negative pressure in the measurement chamber at aperture 8 of greater than 4.0 kPa result at an average electrical input power of between 1000 W and 800 W, a negative pressure in the measurement chamber at aperture 6 of greater than 10.0 kPa, and a negative pressure in the measurement chamber at aperture 8 of greater than 3.4 kPa result at an average electrical input power of between 799 W and 600 W, a negative pressure in the measurement chamber at aperture 6 of greater than 7.0 kPa, and a negative pressure in the measurement chamber at aperture 8 of greater than 2.5 kPa result at an average electrical input power of between 599 W and 400 W, a negative pressure in the measurement chamber at aperture 6 of greater than 4.0 kPa, and a negative pressure in the measurement chamber at aperture 8 of greater than 1.4 kPa result at an average electrical input power of between 399 W and 200 W, and wherein the suction hose has an average cross-sectional area of at least 9.5 cm 2 , in particular at least 11 cm 2  or 13 cm 2 , and the filter bag is composed of nonwoven material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a vacuuming apparatus having a vacuum cleaner,a suction hose which is connected to the housing of the vacuum cleaner,and a filter bag, in particular a disposable filter bag made of nonwovenmaterial.

DEFINITIONS

The description of the prior art and the invention is based on thefollowing Standards, definitions and measurement methods.

VO 666/2013: COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 666/2013 of 8 Jul. 2013,implementing Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of theCouncil with regard to ecodesign requirements for vacuum cleaners.

VO 665/2013: COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) No 665/2013 of May 32013, supplementing Directive 2010/30/EU of the European Parliament andof the Council with regard to energy labelling of vacuum cleaners.

Nominal input power: The nominal input power in W means the electricinput power declared by the manufacturer, wherein for appliances thatare enabled to function also for other purposes than vacuum cleaningonly the electric input power relevant to vacuum cleaning applies (VO666/2013, Annex II, section 2, lit. k).

EN 60312: EN 60312 designates—unless explicitly otherwisestated—Standard DIN EN 60312-1 (VDE 0705-312-1) in the edition ofJanuary 2014: Vacuum cleaners for household use—Part 1: Dry vacuumcleaners—Methods for measuring the performance (IEC 60312-1: 2010,modified +A1:2011, modified); German version EN 60312-1:2013.

Determination of air data: The air data of a vacuum cleaner isdetermined according to EN 60312 section 5.8. Thereby, the measuringdevice B according to section 7.3.7.3 is used. Where motor/fan units aremeasured apart, i.e. without the vacuum cleaner housing, then measuringdevice B is also used. For necessary intermediate parts, whereappropriate for connection to the measuring chamber, the explanations insection 7.3.7.1 apply.

Input power of a vacuum cleaner: The input power P₁ of a vacuum cleanerwith a predetermined aperture (orifice) is determined according to EN60312 section 5.8. Thereby, the measuring device B according to section7.3.7.3 is used. For necessary intermediate parts, where appropriate forconnection to the measuring chamber, the explanations in section 7.3.7.1apply.

Input power of a motor/fan unit: The input power P₁ of a motor/fan unitwith a predetermined aperture, as well, is determined according to EN60312 section 5.8. Thereby, the measuring device B according to section7.3.7.3 is used. For necessary intermediate parts, where appropriate forconnection to the measuring chamber, the explanations in section 7.3.7.1apply.

Average electrical rated input power of a vacuum cleaner: The averageinput power of a vacuum cleaner is conducted with the experimental setupfor determination of air data according to EN 60312, section 5.8. Themeasuring chamber device B is used. For necessary intermediate parts,where appropriate for connection to the measuring chamber, theexplanations in section 7.3.7.1 apply. The average rated input power isdefined as

P=0.5(P _(f) +P _(i))

P_(f)=Input power in watts after 3 minutes operation on the measuringchamber at aperture 9 (rated diameter d₀=50 mm).

P_(i)=Input power in watts after further 20 sec operation on themeasuring chamber at aperture 0 (rated diameter d₀=0 mm).

Average electrical rated input power of the motor/fan unit: The averageelectrical rated input power of a motor/fan unit is conducted with theexperimental setup for determining the air data according to EN 60312section 5.8. Therefore, the motor/fan unit is directly connected to themeasuring chamber (device B). For necessary intermediate parts, whereappropriate for connection to the measuring chamber, the explanations insection 7.3.7.1 apply. The average input power is defined as

P _(m)=0.5(P _(f) +P _(i))

P_(f)=Input power in watts after 3 minutes operation on the measuringchamber at aperture 9 (rated diameter d₀=50 mm).

P_(i)=Input power in watts after further 20 sec operation on themeasuring chamber at aperture 0 (rated diameter d₀=0 mm).

Average input power during the determination of the functionalcharacteristics with a filled dust container: The average input powerwhen determining the functional characteristics with a filled dustcontainer is determined in compliance with EN 60312. Deviating from thisStandard, the measuring is conducted with the measuring chamber B ataperture 8. The average input power during determination of thefunctional characteristics with a filled filter bag is defined as beingthe average value of the input power with an empty filter bag and theinput power with a filled filter bag. For suctioning the test dust andthe maximum suctioned quantity (filled filter bag), the conditions fromsection 5.9.2, in particular also the conditions from 5.9.2.3 apply.

Air flow: The air flow is determined according to EN 60312 with themeasuring chamber device B. The air flow may be determined withdifferent apertures. According to EN 60312, at an aperture, a diameterof 30 mm is measured. If, deviating therefrom, it is measured withanother aperture, this is indicated. In the prior art, this air flow isoften also referred to as volume flow or suction air flow.

Air flow drop: The air flow drop is determined in compliance with EN60312 section 5.9 with the measuring chamber according to device B.Deviating from this Standard, the measuring chamber is equipped with a40 mm perforated plate (30 mm according to the Standard). The vacuumvalues h_(f) in the measuring chamber are converted according to section7.3.7 into an air flow. The difference of the air flow with an emptyfilter bag and the air flow with a charged filter bag is designated asair flow drop.

Disposable filter bags: A disposable filter bag or disposable bag in themeaning of the present invention are understood as being throwawayfilter bags.

Flat bags: A flat bag is understood as being filter bags whose filterbag wall is formed of two single layers of filter material having thesame surface area such that the two individual layers are joined only attheir peripheral edges to one another (the term same surface area ofcourse does not exclude that the two individual layers differ from oneanother due to the fact that one of the layers has an entry opening).

The connection of the individual layers can be implemented by weld oradhesive seams along the entire circumference of the individual layers.

Alternatively, the filter bag may also be formed by a single layer inthat a single layer of filter material is folded around one of its axesof symmetry and the remaining open peripheral edges of the resulting twopartial layers are welded or glued (so-called tubular bag). Suchmanufacturing therefore requires several (e.g. three) weld or glueseams. Two of these seams form the filter bag edge, the third seam canalso form a filter bag edge or may be located on the filter bag surface.

Each of the aforementioned single layers of filter material may compriseseveral nonwoven material layers, as it is usual nowadays for filterbags made of nonwoven material.

The weld or adhesive seams may also be formed as letterfold.

Flat bags may also comprise so-called side folds. These side folds canthereby completely folded apart. A flat bag with such side folds isshown, for example, in DE 20 2005 000 917 U1 (see there FIG. 1 withfolded side folds and FIG. 3 with side folds folded apart).Alternatively, the side folds can be welded to portions of theperipheral edge. Such a flat bag is shown in DE 10 2008 006 769 A1(cf.there in particular FIG. 1).

Filter bags with surface folds: EP 2 366 320 Al and EP 2 366 321 Aldisclose filter bags with surface folds in the meaning of the presentapplication.

Suction capacity: The suction capacity is the product of negativepressure [kPa] and air flow [Its] and is denoted according to EN 60312by P₂.

Degree of efficiency: The degree of efficiency of the motor/fan unit ora vacuum cleaner is calculated from the suction power P₂ and the inputpower according to EN 60312 section 5.8 (cf. in particular section5.8.4, 4^(th) paragraph). For this, the motor/fan unit or the vacuumcleaner are connected to the measuring chamber (device B). For necessaryintermediate parts, where appropriate for connection to the measuringchamber, the explanations in section 7.3.7.1 apply. The rated diameterdo of the used apertures may be derived from the table in section7.3.7.3. The degree of efficiency for an available aperture iscalculated by using

η[%]=(P ₂ /P ₁)*100.

Thereby, P₁ is the input power of the vacuum cleaner (with predeterminedaperture) and P₂ is the air power (with predetermined aperture), thus,the product of air flow (cf. above) and vacuum (cf. below).

Negative pressure in the measuring chamber with predetermined aperture:The negative pressure in the measuring chamber with a predeterminedaperture occurs according to EN 60312 section 5.8. For this, themotor/fan unit is directly connected to the measuring chamber (deviceB). For necessary intermediate parts, where appropriate for connectionto the measuring chamber, the explanations in section 7.3.7.1 apply. Therated diameter do of the used apertures may be derived from the table insection 7.3.7.3.

Average cross-sectional area of the suction hose: For determining theaverage cross-sectional area of the suction hose, the cross-section ofthe suction hose is measured at 10 positions evenly distributed over thesuction hose length and the average value of these measurements isdetermined. The first measurement thereby is conducted at the one end ofthe hose and the tenth measurement at the other end of the hose. Themeasurement of the cross-section is determined by means of limit gaugesfor internal dimensions, which correspond to the form of thecross-sectional area to be measured. Hoses, which change theircross-sectional area, the limit gauge is introduced into the suctionhose in the direction of the enlarging cross-sectional area. Apart fromuneven cross-sectional areas, thereby, also the cross-section areas ofspirally or helically wound or otherwise structured suction hoses may bedetermined. Specifically, this method may also be used for conicalsuction hoses.

Bag surface of a filter bag: The bag surface of a filter bag denotes thesurface, which is located between the lateral weld seams determining theouter form of the filter bag. Side folds and surface folds have to betaken into account. The area of the charging door including a weld seamencompassing this opening is subtracted from the surface. Thisexclusively refers to the theoretically usable surface. Differences ofthe flow conditions in the bag or due to an incomplete unfolding of thefilter bag are not taken into account. For filter bags not being flatbags, of course all additional surfaces (e.g. block bottom bags withside and front surfaces) are consulted for determining the bag surface.

Volume filter receptacle: The volume may be determined from the 3Ddrawing data of the vacuum cleaner or by means of volumetric measurementwith water or granulate.

Deflector device: Deflector devices for deflecting air in the meaning ofthe application are for example disclosed in WO 2007 059936 A1, WO 2007059937 A1, WO 2007 059938 A1, and WO 2007 059939 A1

Spacing unit: A spacing unit refers to a device, by means of which it issecured that a gap is maintained between the filter bag and the wall ofthe filter bag receptacle. Specifically, the spacing unit may consist ofa bottom and/or at least a side wall and/or a cover, thus, partly orentirely encompassing the filter bag. Thereby, attention must be paid tothe fact that the contact surface between filter bag and spacing unit isas small as possible. The spacing unit may be made of arbitrarymaterials and may be removably or permanently installed. In case filterbags with surface folds are employed, a spacing unit may be used, whichis especially adapted to these surface folds. From WO 2012 126612 (inparticular FIGS. 3 and 4), it may be learnt how such a spacing unit isconfigured.

Efficient vacuum cleaner: An efficient vacuum cleaner has an energyefficiency class B or better (according to VO 665/2013, ANNEX I) andsimultaneously, a cleaning performance class C or better (according toVO 665/2013, ANNEX I).

PRIOR ART

The requirements imposed on devices for vacuum cleaning in the pastyears are subject to a clear conversion.

As of 2017, VO 666/2013 requires to limit the nominal input power ofvacuum cleaners to below 900 W. The regulation VO 665/2013 leads to thefact that in the long run, the annual energy consumption of a vacuumcleaner should be below 10 kWh. This results in an input power of avacuum cleaner of below 300 W. The user of devices for vacuum cleaning,however will expect that the cleaning performance does not deteriorate,compared to devices for vacuum cleaners, as they are nowadaysimplemented with an essentially higher input power. This is also takeninto account in VO 665/2013 by e.g. determining the requirement for an Aevaluation (carpet cleaning performance class) for the dust pick-up forcarpets to 91%.

Thus, for example the vacuum cleaner Miele S 8340, one of the vacuumcleaners, which nowadays are classified in the state of the art as beingparticularly energy efficient, during the determination of the air data(according to EN 60312 section 5.8.4) at aperture 8 (40 mm) and an inputpower P₁ of 1310 W (power level at the vacuum cleaner symbol “hardfloor, severely soiled carpets and carpeted floors”, in the followingbrief “max”) achieves a resulting suction air flow of 38.5 l/s. Theresulting air flow during an input power P₁ of 704 W (power level at thedevice symbol “high-quality velour carpets, rugs and runners, in thefollowing brief “carpet”) is insufficient regarding a satisfactory dustpick-up. Thus, with an input power of 704 W (at aperture 8), only an airflow of 30.0 l/s is achieved.

The situation in respect of the air flow even deteriorates with fillingthe filter bag when using the vacuum cleaner. FIG. 1a and/or FIG. 1bexemplarily show the air flow (volume flow in l/s) of 698 W (carpet)and/or 1286 W (max) achieved by a Miele S 8340 with the originalaccessories delivered by Miele for this vacuum cleaner (suction hose andsuction pipe) and the original filter bags delivered by Miele at anaverage input power during the determination of the functionalcharacteristics with a filled dust container depending on the fillingwith up to maximally 400g DMT dust type 8 according to EN 60312.

In order to guarantee an efficient suctioning, air flows of at least 33l/s are preferable.

The Miele S 8340 uses a motor/fan unit, the characteristics of which,thus, the air data of which are shown in FIG. 2a (carpet) and FIG. 2b(max).

The average electrical input power of the vacuum cleaner clearly has tobe discriminated from the average electrical input power of themotor/fan unit, as the entire average electrical input power of themotor/fan unit basically is implemented with the air flow to beachieved, whereas the average electrical input power of the vacuumcleaner is also spent for compensating the flow losses resulting fromthe flow paths in the vacuum cleaning device (from the bottom nozzles tothe air outlet of the device—without motor/fan unit).

The average electrical input power of the motor/fan unit regarding theMiele S 8340 is 1121 W (max) and/or 622 W (carpet). Implementing thisaverage input power, at aperture 8 (this aperture more or lesscorresponds to the conditions being available for vacuum cleaning hardfloors), an air flow of approximately 55.5 l/s (max) and approximately43.7 l/s (carpet) can be achieved, which when using this motor/fan unitin the Miele S 8340, finally leads to the air flows already indicatedabove for aperture 8 (which then actually are also available for vacuumcleaning) of 38.5 l/s (max) and 29.9 l/s (carpet).

The suction hose of the Miele S 8340 has an average cross-sectional areaof approximately 9.1 cm².

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art, the objectivetechnical problem underlying the invention is to provide a vacuumcleaning apparatus with filter bags according to which the efficiencycompared with the devices disclosed in the prior art is improved andaccording to which, when determining the air data pursuant to EN 60312(section 5.8.4) at aperture 8 (40 mm), a suction air flow of more than33 l/s is achieved, and wherein the average electrical input power ofthe vacuum cleaner is as low as possible so that the energy efficiencyclass B pursuant to VO 665/2013 or better is achieved, thus, anefficient vacuum cleaner in the meaning of the present invention isimplemented.

This problem is solved by an apparatus for vacuum cleaning according toclaim 1.

This comprises a vacuum cleaner with a suction hose connected with thehousing of the vacuum cleaner and a filter bag, in particular adisposable filter bag made of nonwoven material, wherein the vacuumcleaner has a motor/fan unit with an average electrical input power of1000 W and 200 W. Thereby, the motor/fan unit is configured such thatwith an average electrical input power of between 1000 W and 800W, anegative pressure in the measuring chamber at aperture 6 (23 mm) ofgreater than 4.0 kPa results, between 799 W and 600W a negative pressurein the measuring chamber at aperture 6 of greater than 10.0 kPa results,and a negative pressure in the measuring chamber at aperture 8 ofgreater than 3.4 kPa results; between 599 W and 400 W, a negativepressure in the measuring chamber at aperture 6 of greater than 7.0 kParesults, and a negative pressure in the measuring chamber at aperture 8of greater than 2.5 kPa results; and between 398 W and 200 W a negativepressure in the measuring chamber at aperture 6 of greater than 4.0 kParesults, and a negative pressure in the measuring chamber at aperture 8of greater than 1.4 kPa results.

This specific characteristic of the motor/fan unit differs from thecharacteristic of motor/fan units usually implemented in devices forvacuum cleaning.

The differences of the air data between the present invention and theprior art are illustrated in FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b showing the prior art,as well as in FIGS. 3a and 3b showing an embodiment according to theinvention. At an identical input power, the motor/fan unit having thecharacteristics according to the invention with the apertures beingessential for the cleaning effect (D6 and D8) provides a significantlyhigher air flow. D6 more or less corresponds to the situation duringvacuum cleaning of carpets, D8 more or less corresponds to the situationof vacuum cleaning of hard floors.

Surprisingly, it has turned out that a motor/fan unit as specified abovein combination with a suction hose and an average cross-sectional areaof at least 9.5 cm² may be implemented particularly efficiency-enhancingfor vacuum cleaners and together with the disposable filter bags made ofnonwoven material are comparable in their cleaning performance withapparatuses for vacuum cleaning as being nowadays only available with asignificantly higher input power.

Therefore, the suction hose needs to have an average cross-sectionalarea of at least 9.5 cm², specifically at least 11 cm² or mostspecifically at least 13 cm². This cross-sectional area should also notfall essentially below these values regarding the pipe section, whichforms the connection in the vacuum cleaner between suction hose andfilter bag.

Experiments have shown that the combination of the aforementionedmotor/fan unit and the aforementioned suction hose with an average inputpower when determining the functional characteristics with a filled dustcontainer of approximately 670 W, which entirely also meet the futureenergy policy requirements is sufficient for producing an air flow ofmore than 41 l/s (with an empty filter bag) and, thus, for achieving asuctioning result being more than satisfactory.

The filter bag preferably may have a bag surface (area) of between 1000cm² and 4000 cm².

The suction hose may at least partially tapers conically and may have agreater cross-sectional area at one end near to the motor/fan unit thanat an end distant to the motor/fan unit. In this case, the suction hosemay have a minimum and maximum cross-sectional area and the minimumdiameter of the suction hose may be reduced about at least 5%,specifically at least 20% in comparison to the maximum diameter. Forexample, the smallest diameter of the conical suction hose at the nearend may be 35 mm and 47 mm at the distant end. Alternatively, thesuction hose may continuously have a cylindrical form. Apart from thegood handling, a conical form of the suction hose may also increase thepower capacity of the vacuum cleaner.

Moreover, also other cross-sectional forms of the suction hose(conically tapered or with a consistent cross-section) are possible, aslong as the claimed cross-sectional areas are observed.

The suction hose may have a length of 1 m to 3 m.

A suction pipe connected to the suction hose may have a diameter of morethan 30 mm, preferably more than 33 mm, and particularly preferred morethan 36 mm.

The motor/fan unit at aperture 7 (30 mm) may have a degree of efficiencyaccording to EN 60312 of at least 35%, preferably of at least 38% andparticularly preferred of at least 40%. This embodiment of the inventionresults in a particularly efficient apparatus for vacuum cleaning.

According to an embodiment of the above described invention includingthe above indicated embodiments of the invention, the vacuum cleaner hasa spacing unit.

This may thereby comprise a bottom and/or at least a side wall and/or acover. Thus, the spacing unit may encompass the filter bag partly, atleast on one side of the filter bag or entirely. Due to this, the filterbag is at least partly spaced from at least one inside housing wall ofthe apparatus for vacuum cleaning. In case the spacing unit is intendedto entirely encompass the filter bag, it will then have a bottom, acover, and a number of side walls corresponding to the filter bagreceptacle

Preferably, the spacing unit is formed such that between the bottomand/or the at least one side wall and/or the cover there are providedoverflow paths, i.e. fluid connections. Thereby, the complete surface ofthe filter bag may be exploited in order to suction air form the filterbag into the motor/fan unit.

Furthermore, the spacing unit may be integrally formed with the filterreceptacle (filter bag accommodation chamber) of the vacuum cleaner.Alternatively, it may also be provided as separate unit, which maycompletely be removed from the filter bag receptacle.

Due to the above measures, a decrease of the filter capacity due toattachment of the filter surface to an internal wall of the filterreceptacle may (entirely or partly) be avoided.

According to an embodiment of the aforementioned apparatus, therein itmay be arranged in the following order against the air flow direction(in a direction opposite to the air flow direction): an air suctionopening inside the at least one side wall or inside the bottom or insidethe cover, through which during operation of the vacuum cleaner air fromthe filter bag receptacle is sucked into the motor/fan unit, a motorprotection filter support, and the spacing unit, wherein the spacingunit is arranged spaced apart from the motor protection filter support.

Thereby, it is ensured that between motor protection filter support andfilter bag, there is always a distance and that the filter bag does notcover the motor protection filter support that would lead to the factthat the air from the filter bag is only sucked from the area of thefilter bag, which covers the motor protection filter.

The spacing unit thereby may be configured in form of a perforated plateand/or in form of a grid and/or in form of bars, bar-shaped sections,brackets, bracket-shaped sections, ribs, rib-shaped sections and/orpins.

The motor protection filter support regarding these embodiments may beconfigured such that a motor protection filter in the motor protectionfilter support e.g. is retractable. Thereby, the material of the motorprotection filter may have a sufficient internal strength in order tofor example be retracted, or it may be equipped with a frame orstabilizing element (e.g. a net). This enables to change the motorprotection filter in an easy manner.

According to an embodiment of all above described apparatuses, a filterbag retaining plate accommodation may be provided, which is in respectof the vacuum cleaning apparatus arranged foldable or may be completelyremoved from the vacuum cleaner. This measure enables a particularlyeasy changing of the filled vacuum cleaner filter bags.

In all above described embodiments, the filter bag may be provided inform of a flat bag. The flat bag shape is the most common form fornonwoven material bags, as bags with this form are very easy to produce.In contrast to the paper filter material used with filter bags made ofpaper, nonwoven material is only difficult to be permanently folded dueto the high resilience so that the production of more complex bag forms,as for example block bottom bags or other bag forms with bottom actuallyis possible, however, is very complicated and expensive.

The filter bag may specifically have surface folds.

Moreover, the filter bag may be equipped with at least one deflectordevice. Accordingly, the above mentioned spacing unit may be configuredfor accommodating filter bags with surface folds.

The different embodiments may be implemented as claimed individually orcombined with one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1a and 1b show the dependency of the achieved air flow on thefilling of the filter bag according to the prior art;

FIGS. 2a and 2b show air data for a motor/fan unit, which is implementedin vacuum cleaning apparatuses according to the prior art;

FIGS. 3a and 3b show air data for a motor/fan unit, which is explicitlysuitable for being implemented in the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows the dependency of the achieved air flow on the filling ofthe filter bag for an apparatus according to the invention;

FIGS. 5a to 5p show different views of a spacing unit of the vacuumcleaning apparatus according to the invention; and

FIG. 6 shows an illustration of a filter bag, which is explicitlysuitable for the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In the vacuum cleaning apparatus according to the invention, a motor/fanunit having a specific characteristic in combination with a suction hosewith a relatively large diameter is applied. This combinationsurprisingly leads to an efficient vacuum cleaner in the meaning of theinvention, thus, a vacuum cleaner falling into an energy efficiencyclass B or better (according to VO 665/2013, ANNEX I) andsimultaneously, into a cleaning performance class C or better (accordingto VO 665/2013, ANNEX I).

The motor/fan unit is characterized by a high volume flow, a high aircapacity (power) and a high efficiency degree at aperture 7 (30 mm) and8 (40 mm). The respective values are listed in table 1.

In FIGS. 3a and 3b , air data are shown for an exemplary embodiment ofthe motor/fan unit as used according to the invention, here, a motor/fanunit of the company Domel with the type designation 467.3.601-7. On thex-axis, the suction air flow in units of dm³/s and/or l/s isrespectively plotted. The y-axis respectively shows values of thenegative pressure (in kPa), the degree of efficiency (in %), the inputpower (in V\/), and the air capacity (in W). In FIG. 3a , results for anaverage electrical input power of app. 480 W, in FIG. 3b of app. 976 Ware shown.

As already mentioned earlier, for comparison, FIGS. 2a and 2b show airdata for a motor/fan unit of the prior art. In FIG. 2a the air data foran average electrical input power of app. 622 W and in FIG. 2b of app.1121 W are shown.

In table 1, the relevant measured values for an exemplary embodiment ofthe motor/fan unit according to the invention and a motor/fan unitaccording to the prior art are compared with one another. With a lowaverage electrical input power, the air data at aperture 7 and aperture8, as well as the air capacity at aperture 7 and aperture 8, and thedegree of efficiency at aperture 7 and aperture 8 for the exemplaryembodiment are significantly higher than for the prior art. For example,the air capacity at aperture 8 and with an average electrical inputpower of approximately 480 W regarding the exemplary embodiment isapproximately 70% higher than regarding the prior art with an averageelectrical input power of 622 W.

With a comparable input power, the degree of efficiency and the air flowof the embodiment according to the invention are superior to themotor/fan unit of the prior art. Specifically, with a relatively lowaverage electrical input power with the relevant apertures correspondingto the real situation on hard and carpeted floors, a very good air flowmay be achieved, with which a good cleaning performance class may berealized.

In FIG. 4, for vacuum cleaning apparatuses according to the invention,the dependency of the achieved air flow on the filling quantity of thefilter bag is shown. The results shown are to be compared with those forvacuum cleaning apparatuses of the prior art, as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b.

FIG. 4 shows results for an average input power of app. 670 W by using aflat bag with side folds according to FIG. 6 and of a conical hose witha minimum diameter of 47 mm by using a spacing unit.

The used spacing unit is in detail shown in FIGS. 5a to 5o . In FIG. 5p, the spacing unit is illustrated together with the motor protectionfilter support. As derivable from this FIG. 5p , due to the arrangementshown, it is ensured that between motor protection filter and filterbag, there is always a distance and that the filter bag does not coverthe motor protection filter support that leads to the fact that the airfrom the filter bag is only sucked from the area of the filter bagcovering the motor protection filter. A 3D data set of the vacuumcleaning apparatus described in FIG. 5 may be obtained from EurofiltersN.V., Lieven Gevaertlaan 21, 3900 Overpelt, Belgium. Specifically, thespacing unit for accommodating a specific filter bag, for example afilter bag according to FIG. 6, may be formed.

For the average cross-sectional area of the embodiment according to theinvention, thus, a value of 15.6 cm² occurs. The used filter bag has asurface of app. 1800 cm². The used material was Material MTTS9, which isto be obtained from Eurofilters N.V., Lieven Gevaertlaan 21, 3900Overpelt, Belgium. This is a multi-layer filter material with a dustholding layer and a meltblown fine filter layer. The filter bagcomprises a deflection device in the form of a slit nonwoven materialmade of Material LF75, which may be also obtained from Eurofilters N.V.,Lieven Gevaertlaan 21, 3900 Overpelt, Belgium.

Moreover, the embodiment according to the invention corresponds to theprior art as already explained earlier. Even with an average input powerof only app. 670 W with an empty filter bag, a volume flow of 41 1/s isachieved; after filling with 400 g DMT type 8 and by using a spacingunit, still a volume flow of nearly 37 l/s is achieved.

Thus, the achievable volume flows are considerably higher than in theprior art, according to which with an average input power of app. 698 W,only a volume flow of 30 l/s with an empty filter bag can be achieved.After filling with 400 g DMT 8 dust, the volume flow even declines below27 l/s and, therefore, lies app. 10 l/s lower than the embodimentaccording to the invention.

In the following table, air data for Miele S 8340 (max and carpet)according to the prior art as well as according to the above describedembodiment of the vacuum cleaner according to the invention aresummarized:

Average electrical Air capacity Air capacity Degree of Degree of powerAir flow Air flow at at efficiency efficiency Voltage input aperture 7aperture 8 aperture 7 aperture 8 aperture 7 aperture 8 [V] [W] [l/s][l/s] [W] [W] [%] [%] Motor-fan unit 233 1121 47.6 55.5 378.0 185.0 27.813.3 Miele S 8340 Power level max Domel 220 976 52.0 66.3 496.3 319.041.5 26.3 467.3.601-7 Motor-fan unit 233 622 37.8 43.7 186.0 89.6 25.211.9 Miele S 8340 Power level Carpet Domel 130 480 40.6 51.8 232.0 150.240.9 26.3 467.3.601-7

1. A vacuum cleaning apparatus comprising: a vacuum cleaner having asuction hose connected to a housing of the vacuum cleaner, andcomprising: a filter bag, comprising a disposable filter bag made ofnonwoven material, wherein the vacuum cleaner comprises a motor/fanunit, which is configured such that an average electrical input power ofwhich is between 1000 W and 200 W, and with an average electrical inputpower of between 1000 W and 800 W  a negative pressure in the ameasurement chamber at aperture 6 of >12.5 kPa and a negative pressurein the measurement chamber at aperture 8 of >4.0 kPa result, 799 W and600 W  a negative pressure in the measurement chamber at aperture 6of >10.0 kPa and  a negative pressure in the measurement chamber ataperture 8 of >3.4 kPa result, 599 W and 400 W  a negative pressure inthe measurement chamber at aperture 6 of >7.0 kPa and  a negativepressure in the measurement chamber at aperture 8 of >2.5 kPa result,399 W and 200 W  a negative pressure in the measurement chamber ataperture 6 of >4.0 kPa and a negative pressure in the measurementchamber at aperture 8 of >1.4 kPa result, wherein the suction hose hasan average cross-sectional area of at least 9.5 cm².
 2. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the filter bag has a bag surface ofbetween 1000 cm² and 4000 cm².
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the suction hose conically tapers at least partially and has atan end near to the motor/fan unit a greater cross-sectional area than atan end distant to the motor/fan unit.
 4. The apparatus according toclaim 3, wherein the suction hose has a minimum and a maximumcross-sectional surface and wherein a minimum diameter of the suctionhose is reduced by at least 5% compared to a maximum cross-sectionalarea.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the suction hosehas a length of 1 m to 3 m.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein a suction pipe connected to the suction hose has a diameter ofmore than 30 mm.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, in which themotor/fan unit at aperture 7 (30 mm) has a degree of efficiency of atleast 35% according to EN
 60312. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the filter bag is configured as flat bag or comprises surfacefolds and/or is equipped with a deflection device.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the vacuum cleaner has a spacing unitcomprising a bottom and/or at least a side wall or a cover in order toat least partially space apart a filter bag from at least one interiorhousing wall of the vacuum cleaning apparatus.
 10. The apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein the spacing unit is configured such thatbetween the bottom and/or the at least one side wall or the coveroverflow paths are provided.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 9,wherein the spacing unit for a filter bag is configured with surfacefolds.
 12. The apparatus according claim 9, wherein in the apparatus,against the air flow direction there are arranged in the followingorder: an air suction opening inside the bottom or inside the at leastone side wall or inside the cover, through which during operation of thevacuum cleaner air from a filter bag receptacle is sucked into themotor/fan unit, a motor protection filter support, and the spacing unit,wherein the spacing unit is arranged spaced apart from the motorprotection filter support.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 12,wherein the spacing unit comprises a perforated plate or a grid or bars,bar-shaped sections, brackets, bracket-shaped sections, ribs, rib-shapedsections or pins.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein themotor protection filter support is configured such that a motorprotection filter is retractable into the motor protection filtersupport or is foldable.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 1,comprising a filter bag retaining plate accommodation, which is inrespect of the vacuum cleaning apparatus arranged foldable or may becompletely removed from the vacuum cleaner.
 16. The apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the average cross-sectional area of the suction hoseis at least 11 cm² or 13 cm².
 17. The apparatus according to claim 4,wherein the minimum diameter of the suction hose is reduced by at least20% compared to the maximum cross-sectional area.
 18. The apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein the diameter of the suction pipe is morethan 36 mm.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the degreeof efficiency is at least 38%.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 7,wherein the degree of efficiency is more than 40%.